Kerala - Kochi   

Reaching out... with a soothing touch

FRESH BEGINNING: The new building for Adarsh, the rehabilitation institute for children with cerebral palsy, at Kureekkad. Photo: H. Vibhu

Reaching out to the communities away from the urban facilities, Adarsh, the rehabilitation institute for cerebral palsy children in Thripunithura, has been able to provide technical help over the years to those who had none.

President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam will grace the occasion when Adarsh formally moves into its new premises on December 18. The promoters of the school are today proud of the fact that while they are moving to their own building, six schools catering to the needs of children afflicted with cerebral palsy have come up across the State with their help in the past seven years.

Reaching out has borne fruit since a team was formed especially with this idea. A physiotherapist and a social worker help in identifying children in the community who need special care and treatment. "We have encouraged the local initiative with technical support," said K. Neelakantan, director, Adarsh. In a few places, the Kudumbasree volunteers had taken the initiative, he added. Adarsh can at the most provide support to 100 children at a time in the school, he said. As and when the outreach programme becomes full-fledged it will help at least some more of these children, he said.

Apart from cerebral palsy, Adarsh has a wing for autism. Out of the 85 children in the school, 15 are in this wing.

At the new premises at Kureekkad, near Puthiyakavu, the institute will cater to all such aspects of community-based rehabilitation programme.

The Adarsh team has identified 15 children in the neighbouring Udayamperoor, Chottanikkara and Mulanthuruthy panchayats, who require special care and training. Since it will be difficult to admit all those identified in their area, the school will provide training to the mothers.

Any enquiries on the programme or on the school can be obtained by calling the secretary of the institute at 94472 21900.

Shyama Rajagopal

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